We studied to clarify the effect of passive
intra-articular movement to the brain using fMRI. Stimulation of joint
movement consisted of three kinds of stimulations &#8211; passive joint
movement of wrist for control, passive intra-articular movement of
radiolunate joint, and sacroiliac joint. Main activated areas of radiolunate
joint were ipsilateral cerebellum, contaralateral insular cortex and motor
cortex. Main activated areas by sacroiliac joint were contaralateral insular
cortex and ipsilateral BA 7. Relief of joint pain may be modified by these
brain areas to manipulate intra-articular movement. This is a first basic
study of manual therapy using fMRI.